By combining Thomas’s sourcing technology and marketing tools with Maryland MEP’s reach, the partnership aims to fortify the Maryland supply chain and position local manufacturers for growthNORTH BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thomas, a leading digital platform connecting industrial buyers with more than 500,000 suppliers, announced a strategic partnership with Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maryland MEP) to accelerate the growth and digital maturity of manufacturers across ...

Japanese companies are quite receptive for uh new development of technologies like AI. I think uh Japanese companies are hardly adopters of of a new technologies but at the same time how do we take advantage of those new technologies that you know you have to be quite serious how to uh utilize in what kind of areas. So now we are still in the very early stage but I think um Japanese company is quite receptive to uh to those um uh new ideas.>> Japan is I think well positioned for the industrial renaissance t ...

Market Overview - The market reaction to the Supreme Court ruling against Liberation Day tariffs was relatively muted, indicating ongoing investor uncertainty [2][4]. - The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day up by about 0.5%, while the S&P 500 increased by approximately 0.7% [7]. - The Russell 2000, which includes small-cap stocks, finished unchanged, reflecting a divergence in market performance [8]. Sector Performance - The communications services sector was the biggest gainer, up by about 2.7%, driven by Alphabet [9]. - Energy and healthcare sectors were the only ones to finish in the red, with energy down about 0.7% and healthcare down about 0.3% [10]. - Overall, 334 names in the S&P 500 saw gains, with 169 declining [8]. Individual Stock Highlights - FDX (Comfort Systems) was the top gainer in the S&P 500, hitting an all-time high with a gain of about 6.5% [11]. - General Electric also reached an all-time high, closing up about 2.5% [13]. - Alphabet was the top gainer in the NASDAQ 100, increasing by about 4%, as the company explores new markets for its AI chips [15]. Company-Specific News - Blue Owl shares fell by 4% due to concerns over liquidity in private credit, following the restriction of withdrawals from one of its funds [17]. - Wal-Mart's stock decreased by 1.5% after a recommendation cut from HSBC, despite solid fourth-quarter results [20]. - CoreWeave shares dropped by 8% amid fears regarding financing for a $4 billion data project [22].

Group 1 - JCI has made a capability acquisition by acquiring Alloy, which brings differentiated technology for manufacturing processes and material technology, enhancing JCI's portfolio for data centers and other mission-critical environments [1] - The technology from Alloy is expected to significantly improve JCI's product line, particularly the CDU, which has seen strong market reception and a growing pipeline nearing $1 billion [2] - The Alloy technology, with its stack forging capabilities, is anticipated to create a unique CDU offering, potentially positioning JCI as a leader in the thermal chain market [3]

Core Viewpoint - The company's Q4 performance exceeded expectations, driven by a gradual recovery in the industrial and ADAS sectors, along with aggressive cost-cutting measures [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Industrial sales, the largest segment at 27% of revenue, experienced high single-digit growth due to market recovery and gains in market share from traditional customers [1] - The company achieved an 8% reduction in full-year operating expenses through a simplified operating model and leaner cost profile implemented in late 2025 [1] Group 2: Strategic Focus - The primary strategic focus for 2026 is shifting towards top-line growth and market share expansion across all global regions [1] - A 'customer-centric' reorganization is being implemented to enhance strategic positioning, aimed at accelerating new product introductions and securing design wins in adjacent markets [1] Group 3: Capital Allocation - The company prioritized a disciplined capital allocation strategy, allocating $52 million for share repurchases while maintaining a strong net cash position of $197 million [1]

Core Viewpoint - Atmofizer Technologies Inc. has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Power Leaves Corp. through a reverse takeover transaction, which will result in the formation of a new entity named Power Leaves Holdings Corp. [1][2] Proposed Transaction - The Proposed Transaction is outlined in a letter of intent (LOI) and is subject to various conditions, including the execution of a definitive agreement by March 20, 2026 [3]. - The transaction will be classified as a "Fundamental Change" under Canadian Securities Exchange policies [2]. - The closing of the transaction is expected to occur before the end of June 2026 [4]. Securities Exchange and Financing - Each outstanding security of PLC will be exchanged for an equivalent security of the Resulting Issuer, and Atmofizer shares will be consolidated or split based on a determined ratio prior to closing [4]. - PLC plans to complete a concurrent financing for gross proceeds of up to US$3 million, issuing subscription receipts at US$0.25 each [6]. - Upon meeting certain conditions, each subscription receipt will convert into a unit consisting of one common share and one warrant exercisable at US$0.30 for 24 months [6]. Resulting Issuer Structure - The Resulting Issuer's board of directors is expected to consist of five directors, all nominated by PLC [8]. - Lock-up conditions will apply to certain shares of the Resulting Issuer upon closing, subject to customary exceptions [9][15]. Company Background - Power Leaves Corp. specializes in the legal supply chain of decocainized coca extract, targeting the global food and beverage markets [12]. - Atmofizer focuses on technology for ultrafine particle agglomeration and neutralization, addressing dangerous nano-scale particles [13].

Genuine Parts will split into two publicly traded companies following a review of options for its automotive and industrial business lines https://t.co/WhFXsowWH6 ...

Company Overview - Textron Inc. is based in Providence, Rhode Island, and operates in the aircraft, defense, industrial, and finance sectors globally, with a market capitalization of $17.1 billion. The company has six segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial, Textron eAviation, and Finance [1]. Stock Performance - Textron's shares have outperformed the broader market over the past year, surging 35.7%, while the S&P 500 Index has increased by nearly 12.9%. Year-to-date, Textron stock is up 13.3%, contrasting with a slight dip in the S&P 500 [2]. - The company has also outperformed the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, which gained about 48.7% over the past year and 8.3% year-to-date [3]. Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter, Textron reported a revenue increase of 16% year-over-year to approximately $4.2 billion, with adjusted EPS rising roughly 29% to $1.73. This growth was driven by higher aircraft deliveries at Textron Aviation and strong military demand at Bell, supported by operational improvements and easing supply-chain constraints. However, the positive results were overshadowed by a softer outlook for 2026, with adjusted EPS guidance of $6.40–$6.60 and warnings of lower manufacturing cash flow due to increased investment in the MV-75 program [5]. - For the current fiscal year ending in December, analysts expect Textron's EPS to grow by 7.1% to $6.53 on a diluted basis. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, beating consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [6]. Analyst Ratings - Among the 16 analysts covering Textron stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of five "Strong Buy" ratings and 11 "Holds" [6]. - Recently, Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu reiterated a "Buy" rating on Textron while adjusting the price target to $110 from $115, indicating a tempered valuation outlook but maintaining a positive investment stance. The current trading price is above the mean price target of $97.86, with a Street-high price target of $115 suggesting an upside potential of 16.5% [7].

Summary of Graham Corporation Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Graham Corporation - **Industry**: Defense, Energy, Process, and Space - **Core Products**: Mission-critical vacuum systems and heat transfer systems for various industries including petrochemical, refining, and defense [2][3] Key Points Business Model and Strategy - Graham has a diversified portfolio with a 50/50 split between defense and commercial sectors, providing stability and visibility with over two years of backlog [3][4] - The company has invested approximately $42 million in capital expenditures (CapEx) to enhance its operations, targeting a return on invested capital (ROIC) greater than 20% [4][12] - The defense segment accounts for about 60% of the portfolio, focusing on nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, with 80% of work being sole source [4][5] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 21% in the latest quarter, driven primarily by a 31% growth in the defense sector [22][23] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $6 million, a 50% increase year-over-year, with a year-to-date increase of 30% [25] - The company aims for low- to mid-teen EBITDA margins (13%-15%) by fiscal year 2027 [26] Backlog and Growth - The backlog reached a record $516 million, with 85% related to defense contracts, providing long-term visibility for investments [28] - The book-to-bill ratio for the first nine months of the year is 1.6, indicating strong demand in defense and space sectors [27][29] Recent Developments - Graham recently acquired FlackTek for $35 million, enhancing its capabilities in mixing technology, which is expected to open new market opportunities [18][19] - The company is focusing on operational improvements, including a new Navy facility that will reduce product lead times from two years to one year [12][14] Market Dynamics - The company is experiencing sluggishness in its legacy energy and process business due to geopolitical tensions and lower gas prices, but is offsetting this with growth in defense and new energy sectors [27] - Graham is also exploring opportunities in space cooling, leveraging its cryogenics experience to meet increasing demand for power density in space applications [47][48] Cultural and Operational Changes - There is a cultural shift within the company towards a growth-oriented mindset, with improved employee engagement and a focus on continuous improvement [60][61] - The company is transitioning from a legacy ERP system to a modern one, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency [60] Additional Insights - The company is working on developing commercially available products that can command higher margins, moving away from the constraints of build-to-print contracts [39][40] - Graham's legacy business still constitutes a significant portion of revenue, but the company is positioning itself for future growth through innovation and market expansion [63][64] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting Graham Corporation's strategic direction, financial performance, and market opportunities.

Albion River has combined some of its portfolio companies to create an industrial platform backed by a $300 million equity raise https://t.co/T5IiJBDn9n ...